The Princeton Tigers and Harvard Crimson face off on Friday in a college basketball showdown at Lavietes Pavilion. Let’s look at the betting matchup and give a free Princeton vs Harvard prediction.
What a Season for Princeton
Princeton has played well heading into this game and they have gone 19-3 straight up. In the last game against Yale, Princeton gave up only 62 points and they ended up winning by 11 points. Xaivan Lee had a strong game putting up 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Princeton is averaging 76.1 points while their defense is giving up 64.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 113th in the league while the defense is ranked 19th. Xaivian Lee is averaging 18 points while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from behind the three point line.
Which Harvard Shows Up?
Harvard two games ago faced Cornell and they ended up losing 75-62. In the last game against Columbia though, the offense scored 80 points, but the defense gave up 75 points. Malik Mack had a strong game putting up 21 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. Harvard on the season is averaging 71.6 points while their defense is giving up 71.5 points per game. The defense is ranked 174th in the league and the defense is going to need to step up here. Malik Mack is averaging 18.5 points while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.
Harvard Crimson Team Facts
- Harvard has won 12 of its last 14 night games.
- Harvard has lost the first half in eight of its last nine home games against the Ivy League.
Princeton Tigers Team Facts
- Princeton has won nine of its last 10 night games.
- Princeton has won the first half in four of its last five games against the Ivy League at Lavietes Pavilion.
Princeton vs Harvard Betting Prediction
Harvard won the last game but the defense still gave up 75 points. Princeton is averaging 76.1 points and they are going to have no issue running up the score here. Harvard’s offense has been good heading into this game, but they aren’t going to do enough to keep this game close. Look for Princeton to run away here and that will be the difference here as they are going to cover the spread. Back Princeton against the spread.